Monitor glass and Marquee frames

[fogman]

I found something at the Home Depot the works extremely well for the monitor glass and marquee holders and its cheap.  Its called lattice topping or something and is in the outdoor fence area.  It is plastic with a 3/16" wide by about 3/4" channel.  I ripped the height down to 3/4" and used it for the frame, screwing it into the sides of the cabinet in the groove.  This was a little tricky since you need very small screws and a small screw driver.

The lattice tops are about $5.00 for 8 feet.  I am not sure how paintable they are, but I assume this won't be a problem, just have to pick the right primer.

Anyway, hope this helps someone out.

[Oldskool]

Cool.

Do you have a pic?

[REBIRTH]

That does sound cool.  Another option is they sell plastic channels to hold those rope lights called a "mounting track".  At home depot they are in the same section with the rope lights.  It goes for about $5 for 4-8 feet of it (I can't remember exactly, I know it was pretty cheap).  Here is a picture of it.  

[fogman]

I can't find a picture on the net, but I will take a picture this weekend and post it.  Its not available on-line at Home Depot, but they have it in the store.  I built my cab using a 3/16" pegboard as the temporary monitor glass, to test for straightness and to fill the space until I order my smoked plate glass.  This ended up working out great because I can take all of my final measurements from the pegboard, before getting the glass cut.

I also did the same thing with the marquee so I had a removeable template to cut the plexiglass and lexan (I'm making a plexiglass/lexan sandwich).

Hope this helps someone, I know the frameing isn't the most difficult part of any cabinet, but this does tend to save some cost/time.

[fogman]

Sorry- One last thing-

Rebirth- Awesome cab.  I wanted to go with the 5.1 audio in my cab, but decided to drop it for 2.1.  I may go back now seeing how yours looks!

Also, I abandonned the rotating monitor, because I am using a rotating CP ala 1-up.  Since I'll have a steering wheel, I wouldn't have the room to roate the monitor.  I think yours turned out great though!!!  I think I will extol the most sincere form of flattery on my REPLAY-2 cab, to be completed 2005.

[REBIRTH]

Sorry- One last thing-

Rebirth- Awesome cab.  I wanted to go with the 5.1 audio in my cab, but decided to drop it for 2.1.  I may go back now seeing how yours looks!

Also, I abandonned the rotating monitor, because I am using a rotating CP ala 1-up.  Since I'll have a steering wheel, I wouldn't have the room to roate the monitor.  I think yours turned out great though!!!  I think I will extol the most sincere form of flattery on my REPLAY-2 cab, to be completed 2005.

Thanks Fogman.  Can't wait to see your first cab!

[spystyle]

Nothing holds a marquee better than a real marquee retainer

If you order the marquee retainer item from Happ's website it will cost $12.05 + $30.00 shipping as they use UPS by default. However, if you call Happ at 888-BUY-HAPP (289-4277) and order it with USPS shipping it will only cost $20 total ! It is part # 49-1000-00 "Retainer for video game marquee"

Dig it?
Craig

[OSCAR]

Nothing holds a marquee better than a real marquee retainer

Hi Craig,

First, nice work on your Defender/Stargate cab!  Great work on your site and detailed info on building the cab.

I would disagree, though, that nothing holds a marquee better than a Happ retainer.  Especially if you are going for a classic/retro look for your cab.  Many, many classic cabs used metal angle retainers and they look very sharp and clean on a cab.  Here are some pics cabs in my collection, all of which used the original metal angle retainers:

Williams





Atari





Gottlieb





Dynamo (generic)





Stern





My own MAME cab.  I bought a length of 3/4" x 3/4" aluminum angle from Home Depot and painted it black.  Cost:  ~ $6





And here is a shot of a cab with a plastic Happ retainer that I snagged off eBay.





I'm not saying that the Happ retainer isn't any good, but I prefer the more traditional metal retainer look.  IMHO, the plastic Happ retainer looks a little cheesy and aftermarket, but maybe I just like the looks of the classic cabs a little better...